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Refugees from continuing violence in the Myanmar countryside adjacent to
Thailand together with an earlier than normal rainy season in the
heavily-forested border region means that the incidence and danger of
contracting malaria is higher than usual.
Mae Sot Hospital director Dr. Kanoknart Pisuthikul said that early rains
meant more risk of dengue fever as well.
Thailand 's public health programme has greatly reduced the annual
incidence of malaria cases, the World Health Organization reports, but
refugees, migrant workers, villagers living along the border -- and tourists
-- are still at high risk from mosquito-borne diseases unless they take
adequate precautions.
While having a steadily reducing incidence, malaria remains a major
public health problem in Thailand, with migration of cross-border laborers
suspected as a leading cause of malaria transmission. WHO reports that in
Thailand, the endemic area is in the hilly or forested area only. Most cases
are from the border of Thailand especially Thai-Myanmar, Thai-Cambodia
border and that there is no risk in major cities or major tourist resorts
such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Samui Island.
Drug-resistant strains of malaria have led to establishment of medical
research stations such as the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical
Sciences (AFRIMS) research unit at Huaymalai in Sangkhlaburi near the
Kanchanaburi-Myanmar border.
However, because of heavy population density, Tak province accounts for
25 percent of malaria cases in Thailand, Dr Kanoknart said. The worst hit
districts along the Myanmar border: Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang, Phop
Phra and Umphang, an area of refugee camps, farms and factories employing
workers from across the Moei river.
Some 900 cases of malaria were treated in May at Mae Tao Clinic, near Mae
Sot. The clinic treats up to 80,000 Myanmar people a year for malaria,
workplace accidents, landmine injuries, malnourishment, birth complications
and respiratory infections.
Mahidol University specialists recommend that tourists and business
travellers on the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodia borders should sleep under
a bed net and use insect repellents, especially after sunset. Repellents are
available at drug stores as "Yah Tah Gahn Yoong"
Preventive antimalarial medications are not recommended in Thailand,
according to Mahidol University's Thai Travel Clinic. Malaria in Thailand is
multidrug resistant: no drugs can protect travellers against malaria. And
drugs may cause unpleasant side effects.
Malaria can be fatal, particularly with delayed treatment. But the World
Health Organization (WHO) says of 300-500 million cases reported worldwide
annually, only about one million persons die, mainly in Africa.
Travellers getting fever in malaria risk areas should seek medical care
at a hospital immediately. Symptoms of malaria include fever with or without
chill, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
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